Representatives of Softchoice, a software-focused IT solutions provider, provided an overview of its tailored learning platform to the board of trustees at a Nov. 7 meeting.
The gist
LISD is exploring collaborating with Softchoice to build a digital learning platform for its students. The platform would house academic and nonacademic information about a student that would be accessible to their teachers, administrators or parents, said David Vroonland, a representative of Softchoice and former superintendent of Mesquite ISD.
Students could set and track goals, display their work, and customize the tool to include information about their interests and extracurricular activities. The platform could highlight students' talents, strengths and interests, Vroonland said.
LISD could use the program to further its goal of empowering students to own their learning, he said. This data could help teachers and parents better understand and support their students as well as drive decisions for campuses.
The context
LISD’s recently adopted district improvement plan for the 2024-25 school year details selecting a comprehensive data warehouse tool. Some criteria for selecting the tool include one that features a student dashboard, is easy to use, and involves a districtwide committee to review options and provide input, according to district documents.
The board of trustees told Superintendent Bruce Gearing during his evaluation that it wanted him to implement a portfolio system within a year, Place 1 board member Trish Bode said at the Nov. 7 meeting.
What they’re saying
The district is currently building its human capacity to accommodate the new technology, which is completely customizable to LISD’s needs, Gearing said. Meanwhile, other districts are developing similar platforms, he said.
“We know that we have to at some point have a technology tool that can help us to manage all those pieces,” Gearing said. “We also know that we’re not ready for it yet, but ... by the time we are ready for it—if we start building it then—it will already be too late.”
